Cost of Living in Leelanau County, Michigan
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Leelanau County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Leelanau County ranks #2,650 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 16%)
Sourced county brief
Leelanau County Median Home Value Estimated at $458,400
In Leelanau County, the median home value was estimated at $458,400, which is $261,107 higher than the Michigan unweighted county mean of $197,293. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,256, while the state unweighted county mean was $918. The median gross rent in the county was $1,228 per month, compared to the state unweighted mean of $906. For renter households, the median income was $61,583. The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 24.4%. This official GRAPI is 4.5 percentage points lower than the Michigan unweighted county mean of 28.9%. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Leelanau County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 24.4% of renter household income in Leelanau County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,228 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,256. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $49,120 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Michigan unweighted mean of county median rents is $906 per month. Leelanau County's $1,228 median is 35.6% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Leelanau County
Rent Burden
14.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,320
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.2%
of gross income
The median home in Leelanau County may be a stretch
Median home value is $458,400. Estimated monthly cost: $3,660 vs. your max of $2,320.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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